Eagles belong to Foles

For how long is anyone’s guess. The turnover in players and coaches has been so dramatic the locker room looks like 30th Street Station during a holiday. New guys ask where the trainer’s room is. Veterans mispronounce the name of the defensive line coach. (It’s Tommy Brasher, not Brazier)

Amid the tension is Foles, the 6-6, 243-pounder with big hair, size 16 feet and surprisingly good coordination.

Foles dwarfs Michael Vick, who Andy Reid has ruled out for the season even though he’s closing in on his recovery from a concussion.

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Regardless of Vick’s health, which Reid continues to lament is the biggest concern, Foles is the guy. The Eagles are his team.

One of these days Foles needs to win a game. Maybe not this week as the Eagles, losers of eight straight games, are 7 1-2 point underdogs when versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday in the Sunshine State.

“It’s a great honor to be the quarterback here,” Foles said after practice Wednesday. “But it’s the same thing. Back to work. I’ve got a lot of work to do. I was readying for Tampa Bay and preparing. I studied the last film, made corrections, worked on them and was moving forward. It’s a great honor and I’m very fortunate to be here, but a lot of work to do.”

The Eagles (3-9) had the lead and a chance to defeat the Dallas Cowboys on the road last week. Rookie Bryce Brown fumbled late and even a 98-yard punt return by rookie Damaris Johnson couldn’t rally the Eagles in a 38-33 setback. Foles threw for a touchdown. It also was the first start he wasn’t picked off.

“He’s a smart kid,” Andy Reid said. “He works hard. He spends a lot of time in his job. He’s done well up to this point. You’ve got to keep going. … It’s a matter of just getting reps under his belt.”

If Vick was Mr. Excitement, Foles is Mr. Calm. Only the doctor who tells you to say ah, take two aspirin and call in the morning is more reserved.

While Reid maintained it was his decision to go with Foles the rest of the way, they know the deal.

“I make nothing of any decision,” wide receiver Jason Avant said. “I’m an employee. I’m not an employer. I’ll always be appreciative of what Michael Vick has done for me and what he’s done in this locker room. He’s inspired so many people with just his personality and who he is as a player. But at the same time we understand that this is a situation that Coach Reid feels best with Nick in there and we support his decision.”

Reid, whose days around the NovaCare Complex almost certainly are winding down, confirmed he ‘communicated’ the idea to stick with Foles to the Eagles’ brain trust. Any minute now look for a statement from management disavowing all involvement.

Eagles veteran tight end Brent Celek wasn’t surprised by Reid’s decision or Foles’ ascent to starter, even if the rookie third-round pick did the damage against a defense that can’t stop rookie quarterbacks.

Celek also feels for Vick, who he’s teamed with for 18 victories over the past two seasons and change.

“Mike is a great teammate,” Celek said. “I talked to him a little bit. He takes it well. I don’t think you can ask any more of this guy. And Mike is still a good quarterback. I think that kind of gets lost in it but I think Mike is a great quarterback.”

Good, great or however you describe Michael Vick, the Eagles are Nick Foles’ team. For how long is anyone’s guess.